Dear friends,

Merry Christmas!

I hope your Advent worship has filled your life with joy and meaning. As we prepare to rejoice together on Christmas Eve, I find myself reflecting on the faithfulness of this congregation with deep gratitude.

Our church continues to inspire me. Week after week, I witness the generosity of spirit that defines this community, a generosity that extends far beyond financial giving to encompass time, enthusiasm, and heartfelt care for one another. It is a joy to witness such love in action.

I am particularly appreciative of the new families who have joined us in partnership this year. Your presence among us moves me. When I see new faces becoming part of our community, I am reminded that the Holy Spirit has sustained the work of our church across generations. Your commitment connects our bright present to a robust future, and I am thankful for each of you who have chosen to make First United Methodist Church your spiritual home.

Throughout Advent, I have shared updates about our year-end giving, not from a place of anxiety but from a desire to keep you informed about how we together support the ministries Christ has entrusted to us. As of this writing, we have just over $400,000 yet to raise to fully fund our ministry budget for 2025. Reaching this goal allows us to step confidently into 2026, positioned to continue our mission of Loving God, Serving People, and Transforming Lives.

This amount is well within the capacity of our large, active, and generous congregation. Your gifts fuel life-changing ministries that impact thousands of families near and far, and I hope you continue to be a partner in this beautiful work.

As we approach the final days of 2025, I invite you to prayerfully consider making an above-and-beyond gift to support our church’s vital mission. You can gift via check to “First United Methodist Church, 800 W. 5th St, Fort Worth TX, 76102,” or by going to “fumcfw.org/givenow.”

For those interested in tax-advantaged giving options, including gifts from brokerage or retirement accounts, please contact our Business Manager Steve Fagan at sfagan@myfumc.org. He will be glad to assist you.

I sincerely appreciate your love for Christ, your generous hearts, and your partnership in this ministry. Together, we continue to bring hope and healing to thousands through the Good News of Jesus Christ.